Toy



March 26, 1963 c. PEARSON, JR 3,0

Filed June 2, 1960 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR. (Kai/e15 Pew aw March 26, 1963 c. PEARSON, JR 3,

TOY

Filed June 2, 1960 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 IN V EN TOR.

March 26, 1963 c. PEARSON, JR 3,

TOY

Filed June 2, 1960 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR.

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March 26, 1963 c. PEARSON, JR 3,032,570

TOY

f Filed June 2, 1960 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 IN V EN TOR.

faries pad/2902A BY 7" VF) 4 March 26, 1963 Filed June 2, 1960 C. PEARSON, JR

TOY

5 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR.

flarZea ears'ov Filed June 2, 1960, Ser. No. 33,422 Claims. (Cl. 46-44) This invention relates to a toy.

One of the objects of this invention is to provide a toy which launches a simulated satellite and moves the satellite in orbit about a simulated planet.

The space age and the launching of satellites is of great interest to children, therefore, an object of this invention is to provide a toy in which a rocket contain ing a satellite is shot from a launching station toward a target area which contains a globe simulating a planet, such as the earth; the satellite is projected from the rocket and if it falls within a certain area of the planet it will be caused to remain suspended in the air and move in an orbital path about the planet.

Another object of this invention is to provide a toy which is educational and which will provide play value for the child.

Other objects will become apparent as this description progresses.

In the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is an elevat-ioual sectional view showing a simulated planet station, showing particularly the blower and the mechanical features thereof.

FIGURE 2 is a side elevational view of FIGURE 9.

FIGURE 3 is a front end view showing the panel portion of the toy, looking in the direction of the lines 3-3 of FIGURE 2.

FIGURE 4 is an enlarged side view of the missile.

FIGURE 5 is an end view of FIGURE 4.

FIGURE 6 is a longitudinal elevational view of the missile.

FIGURE 7 is a rear end view of same.

FIGURE 8 is a sectional view of the missile in the gun, cocked for firing.

FIGURE 9 is a top plan view of the launching station of the toy.

FIGURE 10 is a plan view of same on line 10-10 of FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 11 is a bottom plan view of the structure shown in FIGURE 9.

FIGURE 12 is a partial perspective showing the complete toy, namely, the gun and the planet station.

FIGURE 13 is a view taken on lines 13-13 of FIG- URE 10.

FIGURE 14 is a cross-sectional view taken on lines 1414 of FIGURE 13.

FIGURE 15 is an enlarged fragmentary view similar to FIGURE 10, and

FIGURE 16 is a schematic View of the wiring diagram.

The toy, as best shown in FIGURE 12, comprises a launching station, generally indicated by the numeral 20, and a target station, generally designated by the numeral 22. The two aforementioned stations are preferably in two separate units and are spaced from each other a suitable distance, however, within range of the projectile, as will be subsequently described. They are electrically connected by a conducting wire and the target station 22 is operable from a control carried on the launching station 20.

The object of the toy is to shoot a projectile from the launching station 20 in the direction of the target station 22, which projectile carries a simulated satellite which is released from the projectile and if same falls in the proximity of the target station 22 it will be caused to encircle a simulated planet as though in orbit. More specifically, a hollow shell is shot from launching stattes ater Patented Mar. 26, 1963 tion 20 in the direct-ion of station 22. The hollow shell contains a small ball, formed of foam plastic material, which is released from the shell and if it falls in proximity to the target station 22, which supports a large sphere, it will be caused by air blown from target station 22 to move in a continuous circular path around the sphere.

Reference will now be had particularly to the launching station, 20, which is best shown in FIGURES 9, 2, 3, 8, 11 and 12. The launching station has a base, generally designated by the numeral 24, which has a substantially hollow interior. Near one end of the base and extending transversely thereof is an upright section, generally designated by the numeral 26, merging into a raised horizontal section 28, on which is mounted the control switch, to be subsequently described. The upright section supports a sound member generally indicated at 30.

Extending transversely of the base 24 and forwardly of upright section 26 is a raised hollow portion which serves as a housing 32 for the batteries which are inserted through the undeside of the base. On base 24 and extending upwardly thereof are a pair of spaced tr-unnions 34 for pivotally supporting the gun generally indicated at 35.

The gun, best shown in FIGURES 2 and 8, has a breech 36. The breech 36 has secured to it a cross-rod which is supported on the trunnions for providing a pivotal support 33 for the breech. The breech is curved at the bottom thereof, as indicated at 38, and has a series of teeth 40 centrally thereof. The top of breech 36 has an opening 42. A trigger 44 is pivotally supported as at 46 on the breech over the opening 42. The trigger 44 has a hooked end 47 for the purpose of engaging a plunger, to be presently described. The trigger 44 extends rearward, as at 48, of the pivot 46 for manual engagement to permit pivoting of the trigger.

Secured to and extending forwardly of the breech 36 is tubular member 50, which has an inwardly, extending annular lip 51 to provide a reduced opening at the front thereof. The front wall of the breech has an opening 52 which communicates with the tubular member 50. Supported within the tubular member 50 is a plunger generally indicated at 54. The plunger has an enlarged disc-shaped end 56 at one end thereof which is positioned inside the breech 36 and which is adapted to be engaged by the hooked end 47 of the trigger 44. The plunger 54 is also provided with an enlarged flange portion 58 which moves within the tubular member 50 upon movement of the plunger. A coil spring 60 surrounds the plunger 54 between the flange 5 8 and the front wall of the breech. The plunger extends rearwardly through the opening 52 in the breech.

FIGURE 8 shows the plunger 54 in retracted position ready for firing, and by depressing the end 48 the trigger 44 is pivoted to raise the front end hook 47 to disengage disc 56 to release the plunger so that the spring 60 will move the plunger forwardly until its forward movement is arrested by engagement of the flange 58 with the lip 51 of the tubular member 50.

The missile, generally indicated at 62, which is intended to be fired includes an elongated shell 63 having its opposite ends open. The forward end of the tubular missile is closed by a cap 64 having a tapered end, the cap being frictionally secured to the body of the shell. Extending inwardly in the cap is a pin 65, best shown in FIGURES 6 and 8. The shell 63 has radially extending fins 66, and extending rearwardly thereof are a plurality of arcuate shaped extensions 68.

To load the missile for firing, a ball 70 of foam plastic material is placed inside the shell adjacent the end of the pin 65 of the cap 64 and the shell is inserted over the tubular portion 50 of the gun so that the rear end of the fins 56 will be positioned against the front -wall of the breech with the arcuate shaped extensions 63 of the shell entering suitable spaced Openings 71 in the front wall of the breech for alinernent of said shell The extension as extend into the breech as they are .engaged by the member 56 on the plunger 54 when the plunger isreleased.

The front end of the hook 47 is tapered or inclined so that as the plunger 54 is pushed rearwardly manually, the disc 56 in engagement therewith will cause trigger 54 to pivot to permit the disc 56 to pass the hook 47 on the trigger 44 and the trigger will drop so that the hook 47 engages the disc as and holds the .plunger'54 in position ready for firing, as shown in FIG- URE s.

The missile is fired by depressing the end 48 of the trigger 44, thereby pivoting the trigger and disengaging the hook 47 from the disc 56 and causing the plunger 54 to move forwardly by virtue of the spring 60. The plunger 54 will first strike the ball 76 and cause the cap 64 to disengage itself from the shell body and drop away from the shell portion, as shown in FIGURE 12. The ball 79 will be projected forwardly and will be separated from the shell and cap. The disc 56 will strike the extensions 68 on the shell and project the shell 63 forwardly oil the tubular member 50 into the air. Where the ball will fall will depend upon the proper aim with respect to the target area.

For the purpose of aiming the gun of the launching station, the gun is pivotally supported as at 33 about ahorizontal axis. The underside of the breech has teeth 40 engageable with a spring finger, to be described. Secured to the base 24 is a metal spring finger 74 which has an upwardly bent portion .75. This extends through an opening 72 in the base 24 and extends upwardly thereof for engagement with any of the teeth 4-0 to lock the gun in any of its pivoted positions.

Extending forwardly of the breech 36 and below the gun is an ornamental framework structure, designated .by the numeral 76, which pivots on the pivot 33 with the breech and gun. a

As previously stated, the object of this invention is to. project the ball 70, which is intended to simulate a satellite, in the direction of the globular member, simulating a planet, such a the moon, so that the ball will travel in orbit about said globular member.

The target station 22 of the toy will now be described. This is best shown in FIGURES 1, l0, l2, 13, 14 and 15.

The target station 22 includes a generally circular shaped base, generally indicated at 80, having an annular upstanding rim or wall 81 and a horizontal bottom Wall 82, from which depends a plurality of legs 83 for supporting the bottom eelvated from the supporting surface. The top of the rim 81 is serrated or toothed as at 84.

Stationarily supported centrally on the bottom wall 82 is a vertical post 86 which extends into a bracket 87 secured to the underside of the bottom 82 for its support. Rotatably supported on the post 86 is a unit which supplies the air pressure and rotates about the fixed post 86. Said unit is designated generally by the numeral 88 and will be presently described.

A housing, generally designated at 99, is positioned .over the base. Said housing includes an annular Wall 91, the upper portion of which is curved downwardly and inwardly to provide an annular lip 92. A domeshaped mmeber 94 is centrally secured to the housing 90 in spaced relation to the annular lip 92 of the housing by means of a plurality of bridge members 93 which secure the dome-shaped member 94 in fixed relation to the housing. An annular space 95 is provided between the dome-shaped member 94 and the lip 92 of the housing, which annular space is interrupted only by the spaced bridge members 93. A concavely shaped ring- 4 like member 96 is secured to the upper end of the casin 99, as best seen in FIGURES l and 12.

Loosely surrounding the upstanding wall 81 of the base is an annular band 97 on which is printed a series of pictures. The band is rotatable about the wall 31, as will be explained, and the pictures are visible through an enlarged opening 98 in the housing 90.

The dome-shaped member '94 ha a central convex portion 99 within which seats a hollow globe 100, which globe is secured by a threaded bolt 101 to the domeshaped member 94. The globe is stationarily supported.

The unit previously identified as 88, which includes a motor and blower and the parts connected therewith which are adapted to be rotated about the post 86 will now be described.

A housing 102 is rotatably supported o the post 86. The housing has 21 depending sleeve 194 and an alined top opening 1% which engages the post 86 so that the housing 102 is free to be rotated about the post.

Supported within the housing 192 is a small electric motor'l'fili, with the opposite ends of the motor shaft extending through suitable openings in the side walls of the housing 102. A small air blower is attached to the side wall of the housing 1tl2 and said blower has a fan or blade 112 operated by the motor shaft of motor 108. The outlet end 114 of said air blower extends upwardly into the annular space 95' to direct the air upwardly thereof.

The opposite end of the motor shaft carries a pinion 116 which drives a gear 117. and pinion 118 rotatably supported on a short shaft 119 secured on theside wall of the housing 162. The pinion 118 drives a gear 120 supported on a long shaft. 122, which in turn is rotatably supported in openings on the opposite side walls of the housing 162. As seen in FIGURES '10 and 15, the shaft 122 extends through said housing and carries a friction wheel 124 in engagement with the serrated surface 84 on the wall .81 of the base.

As the motor 108 operates, the pinion 116 on the motor shaft will rotate gear 117 and pinion 118 to rotate the gear 120 and long shaft 122 to-rotate friction wheel 124 in engagement with the serrated rim 84, causing the housing 192, motor 168, air blower 110, and aforementioned gears to rotate as a unit about the vertical stationary shaft 86. Simultaneously the motor shaft rotates the blades 112-causing air to be blown upwardly through the outlet 114 through the annular space 915 as the blower continues to rotate about a complete circular path.

When the ball 70 falls in the proximityof the target station 22 and the blower 110 is operating, the ball will be caused to remain suspended in the air and will travel in a circular path with the rotation of the blower 110, the ball moving around the sphere and simulating a satellite in orbit. When the blower is not operating the ball will drop on the target station and fall within the ring member 96.

The shaft 122 extends through an opening 124 in the band 97 and as the shaft rotates it rotates the band with it so that the series of pictures on the band are visible through the opening 98 in the housing 102.

' As the unit 88 rotates an intermittent beep sound is produced through the sound member 30 on the launching station 20.

Extending from the bottom of the housing on each side thereof are a plurality of spaced pins 128. which, as the housing rotates, are to close the circuit to the sound member 30 to produce a make and break beep sound. The electrical connections will now be described.

Secured to the bottom 82 of the base 80 is a stationary metal ring which surrounds the post 86 but is not in contact therewith. A spring metal strip 132 is also secured to the bottom 82 and a portion of the strip extends over the metal ring 130 but normally out of' contact therewith. As the housing 102 rotates, the pins 128 will engage the strip 132 to make momentary contact with plate 130 and close the circuit to the sound member 38 located in the launching station, provided the main switch 134 on the launching station is closed.

The housing 192 also supports a metal strip 136 which is in constant wiping engagement with the metal post 86. Another metal strip 133 secured on the underside of the housing W2 is in constant wiping contact with the metal ring 130.

Reference will now be made to the circuit diagram of FIGURE 16. When the main switch 134 is closed, the current from the dry cell batteries B will flow through conductor 140 through conductor 141 to center post 86, from post 86 to wiper 136, through conductor 150 to one terminal of motor N98, through other terminal of motor, through conductor 142 to metal strip 138 which makes contact with plate 1363. Plate 136 connects through conductor 144 to main switch 134, from switch 136 through conductor 154 to batteries B. Conductor 152 connects from sound member 30 to the dry cell batteries 13 and conductor 154 leads from the batteries to the switch 134.

When the main switch 134 is closed the electric motor 108 will operate so that the unit 88 rotates with respect to the post 36 and rotating the blower in a circular path to move the ball in a suspended position around the globe. As the pins 128 make contact with the strip 132 to close the circuit through plate 13%, the sound member will produce a beep sound.

It will be understood that various changes and modifications may be made from the foregoing without departing from the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A toy comprising a base, a sphere stationarily supported on said base, a blower and means including a motor for operating said blower supported in said base, said means including said motor adapted to rotate with said blower in said base in a horizontal plane to force air upwardly from below the sphere and in a circular path around the outside of said sphere as said blower is rotating, and a ball-like member engaged by the forced air to cause the ball-like member to remain suspended in the air and move in a circular path about the sphere.

2. A toy comprising a base, a sphere supported on said base and extending above said base, a blower and means including a motor for operating said blower supported in said base, said means including said motor adapted to rotate with said blower in said base in a horizontal plane to force air upwardly from below the sphere and in a circular path around the outside of said sphere as said blower is rotating, and a ball-like member engaged by the forced air to cause the ball-like member to remain suspended in the air and to move in a circular path about the sphere and relative to said sphere.

3. A structure as set forth in claim 2 in which the base has means for catching the ball-like member below the bottom of the sphere.

4. A structure as set forth in claim 2 in which the forced air will cause the ball-like member to move about the sphere below the top of the sphere.

5. A toy comprising a base, a sphere supported on said base and extending above said base, a concavely shaped ring-like member supported on said base and extending outwardly of said sphere, a blower and means including a motor for operating said blower supported in said base, said means including said motor adapted to rotate with said blower in said base in a horizontal plane to force air upwardly from below the sphere and in a circular path around the outside of said sphere but inwardly of the periphery of said ring-like member as said blower is rotating, and a ball-like member engaged by the forced air to cause the ball-like member to remain suspended in the air and move in a circular path about the sphere and relative to said sphere as long as the forced air engages said ball-like member with said concavely shaped ring-like member adapted to catch the ball-like member when the forced air is not engaging the ball-like member.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 714,770 Zelch Dec. 2, 1902 1,529,893 Kastner Mar. 17, 1925 2,074,363 Burke Mar. 23, 1937 2,897,607 Park Aug. 4, 1959 2,924,033 Lanctot Feb. 9, 1960 2,946,151 Traylor July 26, 1960 

1. A TOY COMPRISING A BASE, A SPHERE STATIONARILY SUPPORTED ON SAID BASE, A BLOWER AND MEANS INCLUDING A MOTOR FOR OPERATING SAID BLOWER SUPPORTED IN SAID BASE, SAID MEANS INCLUDING SAID MOTOR ADAPTED TO ROTATE WITH SAID BLOWER IN SAID BASE IN A HORIZONTAL PLANE TO FORCE AIR UPWARDLY FROM BELOW THE SPHERE AND IN A CIRCULAR PATH AROUND THE OUTSIDE OF SAID SPHERE AS SAID BLOWER IS ROTATING, AND A BALL-LIKE MEMBER ENGAGED BY THE FORCED AIR TO CAUSE THE BALL-LIKE MEMBER TO REMAIN SUSPENDED IN THE AIR AND MOVE IN A CIRCULAR PATH ABOUT THE SPHERE. 